Transcript from AIR 20/8448 Public Records Office, Kew
PROGRESS REPORT NO. 6
R.C.M. INVESTIGATIONS
AIR COMMAND, SOUTH EAST ASIA
Period under Review. - 21st April to 21st July 1945
Part I
1. Sorties Flown
|
No. |
Date |
Duration |
Route |
Remarks |
|
1. |
22/23 Apr. |
18 hrs. |
GT. NICOBAR, SABANG, MEDAN, KLANG, MEDAN, SABANG. |
From MINNERIYA |
|
2. |
27/28 Apr. |
19 hrs, 31 mins. |
PULO BREUEH to PADANG, via SIMALUR, NIAS & PINI |
From MINNERIYA |
|
3. |
30 Apr. - |
16 hrs, 30 mins. |
SABANG, N. SUMATRA, LANGAWI I., TELIBONG I., SABANG |
From MINNERIYA |
|
4. |
24/25 May |
17 hrs, 47 mins. |
PORT BLAIR, CAR NICOBAR, PUKET, MARGUI, GT. COCO IS. |
From DIGRI |
|
5. |
28/29 May |
17 hrs. 24 mins. |
GT. COCO IS. RUTLAND IS., BATULUNTA, MERGUI, TAVOY, PREPARIS IS. |
From DIGRI |
|
6. |
22/23 June |
17 hrs, 49 mins. |
GT. COCO IS., NARCONDAM, BANGKOK, KOW TRON IS., MERGUI |
From DIGRI |
|
7. |
25/26 June |
17 hrs, 04 mins. |
PORT BLAIR, CAR NICOBAR, KOTA RAJA to RIVER MASEN. |
From DIGRI |
|
8. |
28/29 June |
20 hrs, 20 mins. |
PORT BLAIR, PUKET, PENANG, DIAMOND PT., PORT BLAIR |
From DIGRI |
These sorties were flown by Liberator "X" which was detached to MINNERIYA for the flights marked "*" in order to extend its effective range and so enable W.SUMATRA and the MALACCA STRAITS to be covered.
SPECIAL FLIGHT NO. 159 SQUADRON
2. The incorporation of special Flight No. 159 Squadron into No. 1341 Flight has been completed. The latter is now a composite establishment of 3 Liberator and 6 Halifax III aircraft.
No. 1341 FLIGHT
HALIFAX AIRCRAFT
3. Six Halifax aircraft, with their air packs of special equipment have arrived at DIGRI. Subsequent to arrival, fuel hose failures caused all aircraft to be grounded but suitable replacements have now been obtained and all aircraft are again serviceable.
4. One Halifax sortie was flown on 21st July; no details are yet available.
LIBERATOR AIRCRAFT
5. The two Liberators originally received as replacement aircraft were found to be unsuitable and were subsequently withdrawn: Two other Liberators equipped with 10cm. A.S.V. have now been provided in lieu.
6. The ASV occupies the well in which the search equipment is normally housed and extensive modifications will be necessary in order to provide suitable accommodation for the Special Operator and his equipment. This matter is now receiving urgent attention in order that at least one installation shall be completed before Liberator "X" becomes due for a major overhaul.
7. As soon as the necessary arrangements can be completed, all available Liberator Search aircraft will be detached to an advanced base in order to undertake an intensive investigation of the SINGAPORE area.
{Part 2 covers the details of the radar signals detected - it has not been transcribed at this time. RQ}